Combined table and bench



Dec. 16, 1952 E. E. MILL-ER 2,621,710

- COMBINED TABLE AND BENCH Filed March 26, 1949 3 t O 25 6 5 2a 2e 2 24 \11/ 32 2/ INVENTOR.

3/ 32 06,418 5 MALI-EB Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED IABLE AND BENCH Edgar E. Miller, Kent, Wash. Application March 26, 1949, Serial No. 83,631.

This invention relates to table and bench combinations and has reference more particularly to such a combination that is especially desirable for use in small kitchens, breakfast rooms, and the like, where available space is limited andcan otherwise be advantageously occupied for other purposes when the table is not in use.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a combination of table, with benches at opposite sides thereof, wherein the benches are attached to the table and can be folded, or swung into the limits of the vertical dimensions of the table when not in use, thus to conserve space.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a table and bench combination wherein the benches are supported, in part, by connection with the table legs, thus providing that when a bench is occupied, the weight supported thereon will serve to hold the table against being pushed away from the bench.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved details whereby a strong, durable and simplified construction is made possible.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of parts, in their combination and relationship and in the mode of use of the parts as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table and bench combination embodied by the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, with one of the benches shown in a position disposed within the limits of the table top.

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail of one of the benches showing the manner of mounting the supporting legs at one end thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section of the end portion of the table on line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- In the present table and bench combination, the table comprises a rectangular top portion l0, which may be made in various dimensions, but generally oblong in form, and supported at each of its opposite ends by crossed legs l|| As noted in Figs. 2 and 4, the crossed legs are fixed at their upper ends, by screws or the like, as at l2, between spaced, parallel rails |3|3 that are secured to the table top, on its under side; one of the rails being flush with the edge of the table top. At their points of crossing, the legs are rigidly joined together by one or more bolts l5,

1 Claim. (01. use-124 r 2 and it is desirable that they be mortised one into the other.- The lower ends ofthe legs arecut to rest -fiatly on the floor'and terminate within the verticallimits of the table top as has been shown i1 1'Fig. 2.-"

A preferred form of table top construction comprises a single panel of plywood, or pressed Wood, with the parallel rails |3|3 fixed thereto across its opposite ends, and also the rails I320 fixed along opposite side edges as shown in Fig. 4.

Each of the benches comprises a top 20, substantially of the same length as that of the table top, and supported at each of its opposite ends by legs 2| and 22. Longitudinal rails, as at 23 in Fig. 3, are fixed to the under side of the bench top flush with the longitudinal edges, and at the ends of the bench, pairs of rails 29-49 in spaced relationship are applied for leg mounting purposes. The legs 2| are fixed rigidly at their upper ends to the bench top between paired rails 29-29 in a manner similar to the illustration in Fig. 4, and preferably each is notched, as at 23 in Fig. 3, to seat the longitudinal rail 23 of the bench therein, thus to add rigidity of construction. The legs 22 have their upper ends pivotally hinged by bolts 26, between end rails 2929 so as to permit the lower ends of the legs to swing directly toward or outwardly from the legs 2|. Also, it is desirable that each leg 22 be provided with a shoulder 28 at its upper end to engage against the bottom of a longitudinal rail 23 of the bench to positively limit its outward swing at the positlon shown at the left hand side in Fig. 2,

To give additional rigidity to the bench legs 2| and 22 and to retain the legs 22 in their desired position when the bench is in use, a slide hook 3| is provided as is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. This slide hook is made from metal, such as steel, and is formed with a groove or slot 32. One end of the slide is secured to the bench leg 2| by a bolt 33 and the other end of the slide is movably secured to the leg 22 by a bolt 34. The end of the slide hook which is secured to the leg 22 has an enlarged notch at the end of the slot 32 which engages the bolt 34 as is best illustrated in Fig. 3.

At their lower ends the legs 2| are pivotally attached by bolts 30 to the lower end portions of corresponding table legs, so that each bench is attached to the table and supported in part from its legs. 7 Therefore, when weight is placed on a bench by a person sitting on it, part of that weight will tend to hold the table against movement toward or away from the benches, and

Tables of this kind may be made in various dimensions and ofvarious materials such as wood; plywood or pressed wood sheets reinforced by wooden strips or rails.

Having thus described my invention; what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A table and bench combination comprising a table having a rectangular top and a pair of crossed supporting legs at opposite ends thereof,

benches located at opposite sides of the table lengthwise thereof each having a. pair of sup porting legs at? each end; one of. the legs ateachr end.- being rigidly fixed tothebench adjacent its. inner longitudinal. edge and pivotally attached at its lower end to the lower end portion of the .4 adjacent table leg, and the other leg of the pair being pivotally attached to the bench adjacent its outer longitudinal edge and having a shoulder formed thereon adjacent its pivotal end to engage the bench to limit the outward swing of the leg; said benches being adapted to be swung upwardly and inwardly about the points of pivotal connection of their fixed supporting legs with the table legs, to positions within the vertical limits of the table top, and said other legs being adapted to swing on their pivots from bench supporting positions, to positions within the vertical limits of the table top when the said benches are so" positioned.

EDGAR E. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 769,354 Nielsen Sept. 6, 1904 822,182 Cassel May 29, 1906 2,321,177: Blossom June 8, 1943 

